Image processing apparatus for selecting a registered object determined from an object to share image data among a group

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus communicates with a chat server configured to control sharing of received image data in a transmission destination group based on received information about the group. The image processing apparatus includes a registration unit configured to register a group of the chat server in association with an object, the group serving as a transmission destination of image data, an obtaining unit configured to obtain identification information corresponding to the group from the chat server, a display unit configured to display the registered object, and a transmission unit configured to transmit, if the displayed object is selected, the image data and the information about the group serving as the transmission destination to the chat server. The display unit displays the identification information with the object.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/344,673, filed on Jun. 10, 2021, which claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2020-111847, filed on Jun. 29, 2020 andJapanese Patent Application No. 2021-009129, filed on Jan. 22, 2021,each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, amethod of controlling the same, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-133000 discusses an imageprocessing apparatus that displays titles and icons of obtainedapplications as objects to facilitate understanding of which of theobjects to execute the applications is the object of which application.

The following issue can occur if a user uses a chat service published onthe Internet to share image data generated by scanning in a specifictalk room of the chat service. Suppose, for example, that informationabout a specific talk room (information about a group) to share imagedata in is stored in association with an object in advance, and imagedata is transmitted to the specific talk room by operating the object.

In such a case, if the titles and icons of applications are simplydisplayed as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2018-133000, the user can determine what chat service the objectrepresents but cannot easily determine which group the object isintended to share image data in.

In particular, a plurality of objects are sometimes registered forrespective talk rooms to share image data in each of the plurality oftalk rooms. In such a case, the user has difficulty in determining whichobject is intended for which talk room.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to providing a mechanism with which agroup to share image data in by selecting a registered object can beeasily determined from an object.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image processingapparatus communicates with a chat server configured to control sharingof received image data in a transmission destination group based onreceived information about the group. The image processing apparatusincludes a registration unit configured to register a group of the chatserver in association with an object, the group serving as atransmission destination of image data, an obtaining unit configured toobtain identification information corresponding to the group from thechat server, a display unit configured to display the registered object,and a transmission unit configured to transmit, if the displayed objectis selected, the image data and the information about the group servingas the transmission destination to the chat server. The display unitdisplays the identification information with the object.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of amultifunction peripheral (MFP).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a mobileterminal.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a messageapplication server.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a botserver.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a sequence where the MFP transmits afile generated by scanning to the message application server.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of scan to chat processing performed bythe MFP.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a sequence where the MFP transmits afile generated by scanning to the message application server via the botserver.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the scan to chatprocessing.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a data structure in the messageapplication server.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a message screen of a messageapplication.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a setting registration screen.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a home screen displayed on anoperation unit of the MFP.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B illustrate an example of screen transitions in thescan to chat processing.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of screen transitions in the scan to chatprocessing.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of association between identifiers (IDs)and token information.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a button setting registration screen.

FIG. 18 illustrates elements of a message service and iconscorresponding thereto.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating processing in obtaining an icon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described belowwith reference to the drawings. The configurations described in thefollowing exemplary embodiments are merely examples, and the presentdisclosure is not limited to the illustrated configurations.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configurationaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Thesystem configuration according to the first exemplary embodimentincludes a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 101 and a message applicationserver 300. The MFP 101 is an image processing apparatus that cancommunicate with a mobile terminal 200, which is an example of aterminal apparatus, via a network 100. A bot server 400 is alsocommunicably connected via the network 100. The message applicationserver 300 is a chat server that manages a chat service for receivingmessages and image data transmitted from the MFP 101 and the mobileterminal 200 and displaying the messages and the image data on themobile terminal 200 and/or a not-illustrated personal computer (PC)based on user operations. The bot server 400 links a bot applicationinstalled on the message application server 300 connected to the MFP 101with corresponding information (token information), and transfers arequest from the MFP 101 to the message application server 300. Thenetwork 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may be theInternet or a local area network (LAN). The network 100 may be a wiredor wireless network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof the MFP 101. The MFP 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU)111, a read-only memory (ROM) 112, a random access memory (RAM) 113, astorage 114, an operation unit interface (I/F) 115, an operation unit116, a reading unit I/F 117, a reading unit 118, a printing unit I/F119, a printing unit 120, a wireless communication unit I/F 121, and awireless communication unit 122. The MFP 101 also includes a facsimile(FAX) unit I/F 123, a FAX communication unit 124, a communication unitI/F 125, and a communication unit 126.

A control unit 110 including the CPU 111 controls entire operation ofthe MFP 101. The CPU 111 reads a control program stored in the ROM 112or the storage 114 into the RAM 113 and performs various controls, suchas a read control and a print control. The ROM 112 stores the controlprogram that can be executed by the CPU 111. The ROM 112 also stores,for example, a boot program and font data. The RAM 113 is a main storagememory, and is used as a temporary storage area for loading variouscontrol programs stored in the ROM 112 and the storage 114. The storage114 stores image data, print data, various programs, and various typesof setting information. In the present exemplary embodiment, a flashmemory is assumed to be used as the storage 114. However, auxiliarystorage devices, such as a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard disc drive(HDD), may be used. An embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) may also be used.

The MFP 101 according to the present exemplary embodiment performsprocesses illustrated in flowcharts described below by using one CPU 111and one memory (RAM 113). However, this is not restrictive. For example,the processes illustrated in the flowcharts described below may beperformed by cooperation of a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, andstorages. Some of the processes may be performed by using a hardwarecircuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and afield-programmable gate array (FPGA).

The operation unit I/F 115 connects the operation unit 116 and thecontrol unit 110. Examples of the operation unit 116 include a displayunit, such as a touch panel, and hardware keys. The operation unit 116displays information to a user and detects inputs from the user.

The reading unit I/F 117 connects the reading unit 118, such as ascanner, and the control unit 110. The reading unit 118 reads an imageof a document, and the CPU 111 converts the image into image data, suchas binary data. The image data generated based on the image read by thereading unit 118 is transmitted to an external apparatus or printed on arecording sheet.

The printing unit I/F 119 connects the printing unit 120, such as aprinter, and the control unit 110. The CPU 111 transfers image data(print data) stored in the RAM 113 to the printing unit 120 via theprinting unit I/F 119. The printing unit 120 prints an image based onthe transferred image data on a recording sheet fed from a sheet feedcassette.

The wireless communication unit I/F 121 is an I/F for controlling thewireless communication unit 122. The wireless communication unit I/F 121wirelessly connects the control unit 110 and an external wireless device(here, the mobile terminal 200).

The control unit 110 is connected to a public circuit network 107 by theFAX unit I/F 123 controlling the FAX communication unit 124, such as aFAX. The FAX unit I/F 123 is an I/F for controlling the FAXcommunication unit 124. The FAX unit I/F 123 can connect to the publiccircuit network and control a FAX communication protocol by controllinga FAX communication modem or network communication unit (NCU).

The communication unit I/F 125 connects the control unit 110 and thenetwork 100. The communication unit I/F 125 enables the communicationunit 126 to transmit image data and various types of internalinformation about the MFP 101 to an external apparatus on the network100 and receive information on the network 100 and print data from aninformation processing apparatus on the network 100. Examples of themethod for transmission and reception via the network 100 may includetransmission and reception using electronic mails, and file transmissionusing other protocols (e.g., the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), ServerMessage Block (SMB), and Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning(WebDAV)). Image data and various types of setting data can also betransmitted and received over the network 100 through Hypertext TransferProtocol (HTTP) communication-based accesses from the mobile terminal200, the message application server 300, and the bot server 400.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof the mobile terminal 200. While a device, such as a smartphone and atablet PC, is assumed to be used as the mobile terminal 200 according tothe present exemplary embodiment, other information processingapparatuses capable of Wi-Fi communication may be used.

A CPU 207 reads a control program stored in a ROM 208 and performsvarious types of processing for controlling operation of the mobileterminal 200. The ROM 208 stores the control program. A RAM 209 is usedas a temporary storage area, such as a main memory and a work area ofthe CPU 207. An HDD 210 stores various types of data including picturesand electronic documents.

An operation panel 201 has a touch panel function capable of detecting auser's touch operations, and displays various screens provided by anoperating system (OS) and an electronic mail transmission application.The operation panel 201 is also used to check information stored in themessage application server 300. The user can input desired operationinstructions into the mobile terminal 200 by making touch operations onthe operation panel 201. The mobile terminal 200 includesnot-illustrated hardware keys, and the user can input operationinstructions into the mobile terminal 200 by using the hardware keys.

The camera 204 captures an image based on the user's imaginginstructions. Pictures captured by the camera 204 are stored in apredetermined area of the HDD 210. A program capable of analyzing aQuick Response (QR) Code® can be used to obtain information from a QRcode read by the camera 204.

The mobile terminal 200 can exchange data with various peripheraldevices via a near field communication (NFC) communication unit 205, aBluetooth® communication unit 206, and a wireless LAN communication unit211. The Bluetooth® communication unit 206 of the mobile terminal 200may support Bluetooth® Low Energy. Bluetooth® terminals are becomingprevalent.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the messageapplication server 300. A CPU 301 reads a control program stored in aROM 302 and performs various types of processing for controllingoperation of the message application server 300. The ROM 302 stores thecontrol program. A RAM 303 is used as a main memory of the CPU 301 or atemporary storage area, such as a work area. An HDD 305 stores varioustypes of data including messages, images, and channel information. Themessage application server 300 can exchange data with various devices,such as the mobile terminal 200 and the MFP 101, via a communicationunit 304. The communication unit 304 may perform wired communicationusing Ethernet®, and may perform wireless communication, such as Wi-Ficommunication.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof the bot server 400. A CPU 401 reads a control program stored in a ROM402 and performs various types of processing for controlling operationof the bot server 400. The ROM 402 stores the control program. A RAM 403is used as a main memory of the CPU 401 or a temporary storage area,such as a work area. An HDD 405 stores various types of data includingmessages, image data, and channel information. The bot server 400 cantransmit and receive data to/from various devices, such as the mobileterminal 200, the MFP 101, and the message application server 300, via acommunication unit 404.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen displayedon the operation unit 116 of the MFP 101. The operation unit 116includes a touch panel 601 for displaying an operation screen, andlight-emitting diodes (LEDs) 610 and 611. The touch panel 601 is aninstruction unit. The touch panel 601 also functions as an acceptanceunit for accepting instructions from the user and a display unit fordisplaying a screen. The user directly touches the screen displayed onthe touch panel 601 with a finger or an object, such as a stylus, andgives instructions to perform various functions based on the displayedscreen.

The touch panel 601 illustrated in FIG. 13 is displaying a home screen608. The home screen 608 is the initial screen for giving instructionsto perform the functions of the MFP 101. The home screen 608 is a screenintended to select screen displays for making various settings of thefunctions for the MFP 101 to perform, such as a copy, FAX, scan, andmedia print functions.

A status check button 605 is an object for displaying a screen forchecking the status of the MFP 101 (status check screen). A transmissionhistory and a job execution history can be displayed on thenot-illustrated status check screen.

A scan to chat button 602 is an object for performing scan to chatprocessing. When the scan to chat button 602 is selected by the user, apredetermined screen illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 is displayed on theoperation unit 116 based on setting information about the scan to chatbutton 602. The scan to chat processing will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 6 and 7 . The scan to chat button 602 can beregistered on a button setting registration screen 1701 illustrated inFIG. 17 .

The user can register another scan to chat button 609 on the buttonsetting registration screen 1701 illustrated in FIG. 17 .

A scan button 603 is an object for displaying a scan selection screen(not illustrated). The scan selection screen is a screen for selectingtransmission functions, such as electronic mail (email) transmission,file transmission using SMB, FTP, or HTTP, and Internet FAX (I-FAX)transmission. The setting screens of the respective transmissionfunctions are displayed by touching displayed objects representing thetransmission functions.

An address book button 604 functions as an object for displaying anaddress book screen of the MFP 101 when selected by the user. The LEDs610 and 611 notify the user of the state of the MFP 101. The LED 610 islit while receiving an email or a print job or while executing a printjob. The LED 611 is lit upon occurrence of an error in the MFP 101. Astop button 606 is an object for cancelling various operations. The stopbutton 606 is an object constantly displayed on the operation unit 116.A home button 607 is an object for displaying the home screen 608. Thehome button 607 is an object constantly displayed on the operation unit116. A menu button 612 is an object for displaying a screen for makingenvironmental settings, such as the language to be used, and settings ofthe functions.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence where the MFP101 scans a document and transmits the generated file to the messageapplication server 300. The sequence of FIG. 6 is started when the scanto chat button 602 according to the present exemplary embodiment isselected. The processing of the MFP 101 is implemented by the CPU 111 ofthe MFP 101 reading the program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113and executing the program. The processing of the message applicationserver 300 is implemented by the CPU 301 of the message applicationserver 300 reading the program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303and executing the program.

In step S901, the CPU 111 of the MFP 101 accepts the selection of thescan to chat button 602, which is a scan start instruction. If a screenfor accepting the selection of a channel, a mention user, and/or a fixedphrase is displayed in response to the selection of the scan to chatbutton 602, the scan is started when the selection is accepted. Detailswill be described with reference to the screen flows (screentransitions) illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 .

In step S902, the CPU 111 controls the reading unit 118 to read an imageof a document based on scan settings made on the button settingregistration screen 1701 illustrated in FIG. 17 described below. In stepS903, the CPU 111 generates image data (file) based on the read image.

In step S904, the CPU 111 controls the communication unit 126 to performtransmission processing for posting the image data to the messageapplication server 300 by HTTP communication. In this step, tokeninformation registered on the button setting registration screen 1701illustrated in FIG. 17 , channel information set on the button settingregistration screen 1701 or a screen illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 ,user information about a user to be mentioned, and a comment aretransmitted along with the image data. Such information is transmittedby executing a command “HTTP POST https://message.com/api/files.upload”.

As employed herein, token information is information corresponding to abot application installed on the message application server 300, and thetoken information can uniquely identify the bot application. Theinformation corresponding to the bot application is informationcorresponding to a workspace registered in the message applicationserver 300, and the information can uniquely identify the workspace. Inother words, the token information is information corresponding to theworkspace registered in the message application server 300, and thetoken information can uniquely identify the workspace.

As employed herein, a workspace refers to an organization, a group, orthe like to which a plurality of users belongs in the messageapplication. A channel is comparable with a chat room in the workspace.The chat room here refers to a mechanism for a plurality of usersparticipating in the chat room to transmit and receive messages to/fromeach other and communicate as if having a conversation. While in thepresent exemplary embodiment a channel is described to be a chat room, achannel is not limited thereto and may be any mechanism for a pluralityof users to transmit and receive messages and communicate as if having aconversation. Examples may include a group chat, a room, a talk room,and a group.

As employed herein, a bot application refers to an application forregistering the MFP 101 as a user in the message application and postingmessages and image data. Bot applications are installed on the messageapplication server 300. If image data is transmitted to the messageapplication server 300 with a bot application specified, the botapplication posts the transmitted image data with the messageapplication. The HDD 305 of the message application server 300 storesthe bot applications and token information in association with eachother. The bot applications are also associated with workspaces. Themessage application server 300 receives token information from the MFP101, and can thereby return information about the workspace associatedwith the bot application associated with the token information. Thetoken information, the bot application, and the workspace may bedirectly associated with each other. A workspace corresponding to tokeninformation registered in advance (workspace to which the user wants totransmit image data) can thus be selected from a large number ofworkspaces.

In step S905, the CPU 301 of the message application server 300 searchesfor registered workspace information and application information byusing the token information received in step S904, and stores thespecified channel in association with the received image data andchannel information. In other words, the CPU 301 performs control topost the received image data and comment to the specified channel. If amention user is specified, the CPU 301 further stores the received imagedata, the channel, and the post destination user (mention user) inassociation with each other. Whereby, a screen where the received imagedata is posted appears, if the user activates the message application onthe mobile terminal 200 and specifies the channel to check the contentsof the conversations in the channel.

In step S906, the CPU 301 of the message application server 300transmits a result corresponding to whether the post is successful tothe MFP 101 as HTTP communication response information. If the post issuccessful, the CPU 111 of the MFP 101 may display a notification thatthe post is successful on the operation unit 116. If the post is failed,the CPU 111 of the MFP 101 may display a notification that the post isfailed on the operation unit 116. Alternatively, the CPU 111 may displaythe notification that the post is failed only when the post is failed,without displaying a notification when the post is successful.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the scan to chatprocessing performed by the MFP 101. The processing of the flowchart ofFIG. 7 is implemented by the CPU 111 reading the program stored in theROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing the program. The procedureillustrated in FIG. 7 is started by power-on of the MFP 101. Theprocedure of FIG. 7 is predicated on that a service, token information,and a channel have been set on the button setting registration screen1701 illustrated in FIG. 17 .

In step S1001, the CPU 111 determines whether the scan to chat button602 is selected. If the scan to chat button 602 is determined to beselected (YES in step S1001), the processing proceeds to step S1002. Ifnot (NO in step S1001), the processing returns to step S1001.

In step S1002, the CPU 111 performs processing for transmittinginformation indicating a request for channel list information to themessage application server 300 by HTTP communication, using tokeninformation 1503 (see FIG. 12 ) registered in advance.

In step S1003, the CPU 111 determines whether the channel listinformation is received from the message application server 300 inresponse to the acquisition request for the channel list informationtransmitted in step S1002. Specifically, the CPU 111 determines that thechannel list information is not received, if the response of the HTTPcommunication includes a status code indicating an error or bodyinformation in the response includes a parameter indicating that thechannel list information is unable to be obtained. If the channel listinformation is determined to be received (YES in step S1003), theprocessing proceeds to step S1010. If not (NO in step S1003), theprocessing proceeds to step S1004.

In step S1004, the CPU 111 identifies the error factor based on theresult obtained in step S1003. If an error code due to the absence ofthe channel in the message application server 300 is determined to beincluded (YES in step S1004), the processing proceeds to step S1005. Ifnot (NO in step S1004), the processing proceeds to step S1007.

In step S1005, the CPU 111 displays information indicating that thechannel list information fails to be received on the operation unit 116.

In step S1006, the CPU 111 determines whether a return button isselected. If the return button is determined to be selected (YES in stepS1006), the processing returns to step S1001. If not (NO in step S1006),the processing returns to step S1006.

In step S1007, the CPU 111 requests icon information about otherchannels in the target workspace from the message application server300, and obtains the icon information.

In step S1008, the CPU 111 displays a list of icons and channel namesobtained on a channel selection screen 713 (see FIG. 14A) on theoperation unit 116.

In step S1009, the CPU 111 determines whether a channel is selected. Ifa channel is determined to be selected (YES in step S1009), theprocessing proceeds to step S1010. If not (NO in step S1009), theprocessing returns to step S1009.

In step S1010, the CPU 111 determines whether a scan to chat operationis in an each-time mention mode. If the scan to chat operation is in theeach-time mention mode (YES in step S1010), the processing proceeds tostep S1012. If not (NO in step S1010), the processing proceeds to stepS1011.

In step S1011, the CPU 111 determines, from the received channel listinformation, whether there is a user set to be mentioned in a mentionuser selection field 1721 in the post destination channel. If there isdetermined to be a user to be mentioned in the channel (YES in stepS1011), the processing proceeds to step S1015. If not (NO in stepS1011), the processing proceeds to step S1012.

In step S1012, the CPU 111 obtains icon information about usersbelonging to the target channel from the message application server 300.

In step S1013, the CPU 111 displays a mention user selection screen 714illustrated in FIG. 14B on the touch panel 601 of the operation unit116. After a user to be mentioned is selected in step S1013, the CPU 111may display a selection screen about whether to register the selecteduser as a user to be mentioned by fixed mention.

In step S1014, the CPU 111 determines whether destination mention isselected. If destination mention is determined to be selected (YES instep S1014), the processing proceeds to step S1015. If not (NO in stepS1014), the processing returns to step S1014.

In step S1015, the CPU 111 displays a scan to chat setting confirmationscreen 716 illustrated in FIG. 15 on the operation unit 116. If, in stepS1015, the CPU 111 detects that the setting of the user to be mentionedand the setting for a comment selection screen to be made for the scanto chat processing are all finalized, the processing proceeds to stepS1016.

In step S1016, the CPU 111 controls the reading unit 118 based on thescan settings, reads an image of a document, and generates image data.The scan settings specified by the user on the button settingregistration screen 1701 of FIG. 17 are used as the scan settings.

In step S1017, the CPU 111 converts the image data generated in stepS1016 into a file format set on a transmission setting screen.

In step S1018, the CPU 111 generates post parameters. The postparameters include the channel information about the post destination, afilename, mention information, and a posted comment. A file formatcorresponding to that set on the transmission setting screen is set asthe file format. A filename specified on the transmission setting screenis specified as the filename.

In step S1019, the CPU 111 transmits the token information 1503registered in advance, the file generated (converted) in step S1017, andthe post parameters generated in step S1018 to the message applicationserver 300 by the POST method of HTTP communication. The tokeninformation 1503 is token information input into a token informationinput field 1711 illustrated in FIG. 17 .

With such data (the file into which the image data is converted and thepost parameters) transmitted to the message application server 300, themessage application server 300 performs the following processing. Theprocessing includes executing control such that the received file isposted to the user specified by the received mention information in thechannel specified by the received channel information.

In step S1020, the CPU 111 receives the posted result from the messageapplication server 300 and displays the posted result on the touch panel601 of the operation unit 116. In the present exemplary embodiment, theuser can thus easily post the file from the MFP 101 to the channel ofthe message application server 300.

In the present exemplary embodiment, only one piece of token informationis described to be registered. If a plurality of pieces of tokeninformation is registered, the token information-related processing,namely, the processing of steps S1002, S1003, and S1019 is performed asmany times as the number of pieces of token information registered.

An example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 201 of themobile terminal 200 when the file into which the image data is convertedand the post parameters are transmitted to the message applicationserver 300 in the processing of step S1019 will be described below withreference to FIG. 11 .

FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating an example of screentransitions in the scan to chat processing. The screens illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15 are displayed on the touch panel 601 of the operationunit 116. A scan to chat screen is displayed on the touch panel 601 ofthe operation unit 116 if the scan to chat button 602 displayed on thehome screen 608 is selected.

The button icon to be displayed varies depending on the settings of thescan to chat button. If only application service information about thetransmission destination is registered, a scan to chat button 708 isdisplayed on a home screen 704.

If the scan to chat button 708 is selected, an organization selectionscreen 712 is displayed on the touch panel 601 of the operation unit116. The organization selection screen 712 is a screen for the user toselect an organization to be included in the service registered inassociation with the scan to chat button 708.

If an organization is selected and the OK button is selected on theorganization selection screen 712, the channel selection screen 713 forselecting a transmission destination (post destination) channel from thechannels included in the selected organization is displayed.

If a transmission destination (post destination) channel is selected andthe OK button is selected on the channel selection screen 713, themention user selection screen 714 for selecting a mention user or usersis displayed.

If a mention user or users is/are selected and the OK button is selectedon the mention user selection screen 714, the fixed phrase selectionscreen 715, the destination confirmation screen 716, or anunder-transmission screen 717 is displayed. If a fixed phrase selectionsetting has been set to on by the user, the fixed phrase selectionscreen 715 is displayed to accept the selection of text to be displayedwith the image data. If a fixed phrase is selected and the OK button isselected on the fixed phrase selection screen 715, the destinationconfirmation screen 716 is displayed. The destination confirmationscreen 716 displays the username of the mention user and the fixedphrase to be posted in the case of destination mention, whereby the usercan confirm the contents to be posted. The destination confirmationscreen 716 is also displayed if the fixed phrase selection setting hasbeen set to off by the user, the destination confirmation setting hasbeen set to on, and a mention user or users is/are selected and the OKbutton is pressed on the mention user selection screen 714.

If the OK button is selected on the destination confirmation screen 716,the document is scanned, the image data generated by the scan istransmitted, and the under-transmission screen 717 is displayed. Theunder-transmission screen 717 may be displayed during the document scanor after the document scan ends and the transmission of the image datais started. The document scan is also performed if the fixed phraseselection setting and the destination confirmation setting have been setto off by the user and a mention user or users is/are selected and theOK button is pressed on the mention user selection screen 714. The imagedata generated by the scan is then transmitted, and theunder-transmission screen 717 is displayed. The timing to display theunder-transmission screen 717 may be during the scan or when thetransmission is in process after the end of the scan.

If settings up to the transmission destination organization areregistered in association with the scan to chat button, a scan to chatbutton 709 is displayed on a home screen 705.

If the scan to chat button 709 is selected, the channel selection screen713 is displayed. If the organization registered in association with thescan to chat button 709 is not found on the registered service, theorganization selection screen 712 is displayed to accept the selectionof an organization.

If settings up to the transmission destination channel are registered inassociation with the scan to chat button, a scan to chat button 710 isdisplayed on a home screen 706.

If the scan to chat button 710 is selected, the mention user selectionscreen 714 is displayed. If the channel registered in association withthe scan to chat button 710 is not found on the registered service, thechannel selection screen 713 is displayed to accept the selection of achannel.

If settings up to the mention user are registered in association withthe scan to chat button, a scan to chat button 711 is displayed on ahome screen 707.

If the scan to chat button 711 is selected, the fixed phrase selectionscreen 715 is displayed. If the mention user registered in associationwith the scan to chat button 711 is not found on the registered serviceor if the scan to chat button 711 is set to the each-time mention mode,the mention user selection screen 714 is displayed to accept theselection of a mention user or users.

The presence of the organization, the channel, and/or the mentionuser(s) registered in association with the scan to chat button on theservice is determined by obtaining the latest information (such aschannel list information) from the message application server 300 whenthe scan to chat button is selected, and determining whether theinformation registered in association with the scan to chat button isincluded in the obtained information. The foregoing processing isthereby implemented.

If any of the pieces of information registered in association with thescan to chat button is not found on the service, i.e., not included inthe information obtained from the message application server 300, anupdate screen 718 is displayed. If the YES button is selected on theupdate screen 718, the information of which the user's selection isaccepted due to its absence on the service is registered in associationwith the scan to chat button selected. If the NO button is selected, theinformation is not registered in association with the scan to chatbutton. If either the YES button or the NO button is selected, the fixedphrase selection screen 715 is displayed.

Alternatively, in the present exemplary embodiment, if the settings upto the transmission destination (post destination) channel areregistered in association with the scan to chat button, the display ofthe mention user selection screen 714, the fixed phrase selection screen715, and the destination confirmation screen 716 may be skipped even ifno mention user is set. In other words, the MFP 101 may be configured tostart scanning the document and transmit the generated image data if thescan to chat button is selected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message screen of themessage application. A message screen 1201 illustrated in FIG. 11 isdisplayed when the message application is activated on the mobileterminal 200 and the MFP 101 performs the processing of step S1019. Themobile terminal 200 is communicating with the message application server300.

If the user activates the message application on the mobile terminal 200and inputs the identifier (ID) and password of the user's account to login, a screen dedicated to the user is displayed.

A message 1204 is a message displayed (posted) by the user having theaccount of user1 transmitting image data generated by scanning and postparameters to the message application server 300 using the MFP 101. Inthe example of FIG. 11 , “channel 1” is specified as the postdestination channel and “user3” belonging to channel 1 is specified asthe mention user in the post parameters. In the example, the postparameters also include “material.pdf” specified as the filename and“Here you are.” specified as the comment. The filename and the commentare specified on a not-illustrated scan to chat detailed setting screenby the user.

The message screen 1201 displays the names and icons of channels 1208and groups 1209 in which the login user participates, and the names andicons of other users 1210 participating in the channels 1208 and thegroups 1209. The message screen 1201 also displays an icon 1205 of thelogged-in message application. As for the logged-in workspace(organization), a workspace name and icon 1206 are displayed. Themessage screen 1201 further displays post destination information 1202and exchanged messages 1203. Posting the message 1204 with a commentincluding a username preceded by “@” indicates that the posted user isthe specific user whom the login user wants to notify of the message inparticular in the channel.

In the case of FIG. 11 , the message application notifies the mobileterminal of user3 of the reception of the post. This makes user3 likelyto notice the post made by user1. If the mobile terminal 200 user3 usesfor browsing is a smartphone, the mobile terminal 200 issues a usernotification by using an icon notification function, vibrations, and/ora ringtone. If the mobile terminal 200 user3 uses for browsing is adesktop terminal, the mobile terminal 200 issues the user notificationby using a desktop notification function. In displaying the screen, themessage application server 300 searches a data structure illustrated inFIG. 10 for information to be used, and displays the information. Forexample, posting the message 1204 corresponds to “utterance 3+file 1” ininteraction contents 505. The message application server 300 obtainsattribute information, such as the name of file 1, from files 504, anddisplays the attribute information in the form of a file icon on themessage 1204. If the user selects the file icon, file 1 belonging to thefiles 504 can be obtained. While the file posted to this channel isdisplayed here as an icon, a preview image of the file may be displayed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure inthe message application server 300. The data structure is stored in theHDD 305 of the message application server 300. The screen of FIG. 11 isdisplayed based on the data structure. The message application server300 manages data with largest units workspace and with smaller unitssuch as channels, groups, users, and files therein. Channels 501 arechatrooms of a type where all the members of the workspace canparticipate and all posted contents can be searched by any of themembers. Groups 502 are channels for discussions not open to all themembers. Invitations are needed to browse and participate in the groups502. Users 503 refer to users participating in the workspace. Files 504store attached files. The interaction contents 505 of the respectivechannels, groups, and users are stored in association with each other.For example, users participating in channel 1 are associated with andstored in channel 1. Messages and image data exchanged in channel 1 arealso associated with and stored in channel 1. This enables display ofusers corresponding to specified channel information when a channel isselected on the channel selection screen 713. The users participating inthe channel can thereby be displayed.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the button settingregistration screen 1701. The button setting registration screen 1701 isa screen displayed on the operation unit 116 of the MFP 101. The buttonsetting registration screen 1701 may be displayed as a web page on theoperation unit of an information processing apparatus, such as a PC,connected to the MFP 101 via a network.

The button setting registration screen 1701 of FIG. 17 displays aservice 1712, a connection destination input field 1710, and a tokeninformation input field 1711. The connection destination input field1710 and the token information input field 1711 are capable of input andmodification using a keyboard. If a connection destination and tokeninformation are input, the CPU 111 checks whether the connectiondestination is a supportable application service. If the applicationservice of the connection destination has an application programminginterface (API) for providing service information, the CPU 111 makes aninquiry to the application service. If the application service does nothave an API for providing service information, the CPU 111 determineswhether the application service is supportable based on the domain nameof Universal Resource Locator (URL) information registered by using anew registration button 1507 illustrated in FIG. 12 .

Next, the CPU 111 obtains channel list information and icon images fromthe message application server 300. The channel list informationincludes information about channels and users included in the workspacecorresponding to the token information input to the token informationinput field 1711. The icon images are identification information aboutthe channels. Here, the CPU 111 also obtains icon images of the usersbelonging to the channels, and an icon image of the workspacecorresponding to the token information input to the token informationinput field 1711. With the acquisition of the channel list informationand the icon images completed, a channel selection field 1720 of thebutton setting registration screen 1701 becomes capable of channelselection. The user selects a channel to post scanned image data to froma list of channels.

In such a manner, the group (workspace or channel) that is thetransmission destination of the image data can be set in associationwith the scan to scan button, on the button setting registration screen1701.

If the channel set in the channel selection field 1720 is detected to bechanged, the CPU 111 obtains a list (mention user list) of mention userswho are users belonging to the channel set in the channel selectionfield 1720 and can be specified to be mentioned, from the channel listinformation.

With the mention user list obtained from the channel list information,the mention user selection field 1721 becomes capable of selection of auser to be mentioned. The user selects a user to be mentioned from themention user list displayed in the mention user selection field 1721.The setting of the mention user selection field 1721 can be skipped. Ifthe setting is skipped, the scan to chat processing may be performedbased on the screen flow of “each-time mention” illustrated in FIGS. 14and 15 . Alternatively, an option representing each-time mention may bedisplayed in the mention user selection field 1721. When the optionrepresenting each-time mention is selected, the scan to chat processingmay be performed based on the screen flow of each-time mention.

If a mention user is set in the mention user selection field 1721, thescan to chat processing may be performed based on the screen flow of“fixed mention” illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 . If “no mention” is setin the mention user selection field 1721, the scan to chat processingmay be performed based on the screen flow of “no mention” illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15 . The screen flow of “no mention” refers to, forexample, the procedure where the fixed phrase selection screen 715 isdisplayed after the selection of the scan to chat button 711 in thescreen flow illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 .

A plurality of channels can also be selected in the channel selectionfield 1720. In such a case, a plurality of pieces of channel informationis transmitted to the message application server 300 so that image datais posted to the plurality of channels. Moreover, if a plurality ofchannels is selected, a mention user can be selected for each of theselected channels. Even if the number of selected channels is one, aplurality of users belonging to the channel can be selected in themention user selection field 1721.

An icon image display field 1730 displays an icon image based on thesettings. For example, if a single channel is set and a plurality ofmention users is set, or if a single channel is set and no mention useris set, the icon image of the channel set in the channel selection field1720 is automatically displayed. In other words, the icon image of thechannel is selected without accepting the user's operation. If aplurality of channels is set, the icon of the workspace corresponding tothe token information input to the token information input field 1711 isdisplayed.

If the workspace is unable to be identified, the icon image of theservice 1712 is displayed. The icon image displayed in the icon imagedisplay field 1730 is displayed as the icon image of the scan to chatbutton when the scan to chat button is registered in the home screen608.

If no icon image is registered for the channel, a predetermined imagemay be displayed. The icon image to be displayed can be changed within aselectable range. For example, the icon image of the service 1712 may bedisplayed even in a state where the icon image of the user selected inthe mention user selection field 1721 is registered.

In such a manner, the icon image of the scan to chat button can be setin the button setting registration screen 1701 by obtaining the iconimages of the workspace and the channels that are group identificationinformation about the workspace and the channels from the messageapplication server 300. Similarly, the icon image of a mention user whois the notification destination user can be obtained from the messageapplication server 300 and used as the icon image of the scan to chatbutton.

A character string to be displayed as the name of the scan to chatbutton in adding the scan to button to the home screen 608 is input intoa button name setting field 1731. The name corresponding to the iconimage selected as that of the scan to chat button by the user isautomatically set as the character string. For example, in FIG. 17 , theicon image of channel 1 is registered as the icon image and displayed inthe icon image display field 1730, and thus the channel name “channel 1”corresponding to the icon image is input into the button name settingfield 1731. If the icon image corresponding to a user is selected as theicon image, the username of the user (e.g., “user1”) is input. The namesof the channel and the user input here are information included in thechannel list information obtained from the message application server300. In such a manner, the name of the scan to chat button can be set onthe button setting registration screen 1701 by obtaining the workspacename and the channel names that are group identification informationabout the workspace and the channels from the message application server300. The username of the mention user who is the notificationdestination user can similarly be obtained from the message applicationserver 300 and used as the button name.

The name of the channel selected in the channel selection field 1720 maybe automatically set as the character string to be displayed as thebutton name without accepting the user's operation.

The input character string can be freely modified by the user afterward.The character string can be deleted, added, and changed by using thekeyboard. “Channel 1” is displayed on the scan to chat button as thebutton name set here similar to the scan to chat button 602 displayed onthe home screen 608 illustrated in FIG. 13 .

A fixed phrase mode selection field 1732 is capable of selecting thesettings of comments to be transmitted with scanned image data. Thefixed phrase mode selection field 1732 displays, for example, an option“select mode” for enabling selection of fixed phrases preset in fixedphrase setting fields 1733 in performing the scan to chat processing.Other options to be displayed include “fixed mode” where a fixed phraseset in a fixed phrase setting field 1733 in advance is transmitted in afixed manner, and “no comment mode” where the image data is transmittedwithout a comment.

The button setting registration screen 1701 is also capable of makingscan settings. A two-sided setting field 1740 is capable of selectingwhether to scan both sides or one side of a document. The user canselect the two-sided setting field 1740 and select “one-sided” or“two-sided” from the pull-down list.

A color setting field 1741 is capable of selecting whether to scan adocument in color or monochrome. The user can select the color settingfield 1741 and select “color” or “monochrome” from the pull-down list.

The user fixes the settings by pressing a set button 1750 after thesettings are made on the button setting registration screen 1701. Thesetting values set here are stored in the storage 114. In a secondexemplary embodiment described below, the setting values are stored inthe HDD 405.

If a generation button 1506 of a setting registration screen 1501 (seeFIG. 12 ) is pressed, a button for performing the scan to chatprocessing based on the settings registered in the button settingregistration screen 1701 is additionally displayed on the home screen608.

FIG. 18 illustrates a correspondence table including categories for themessage application server 300 to handle, names, icon images, andsources for the MFP 101 to obtain the icon images from.

The icon image of Service A is managed by Service A that is a messageservice provided by the message application server 300. The MFP 101 canobtain the icon image from the message application server 300. The iconimage of Service B is recorded within the MFP 101.

The icon images of Organizations A and B are included in managementinformation about Service A. In other words, the MFP 101 obtains theicon images of Organizations A and B from the message application server300 by transmitting the token information corresponding to theworkspaces managed by the message application server 300 to the messageapplication server 300.

The icon images of the channels, groups, and users are informationincluded in the channel list information about Organization A. The MFP101 obtains the icon images from the message application server 300.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing where theCPU 111 of the MFP 101 obtains an icon image for displaying the scan tochat button 602 on the home screen 608. The flowchart is executed whenthe MFP 101 obtains icon information in steps S1007 and S1012 of FIG. 7, S1307 and S1312 of FIG. 9 , FIGS. 17, 14 , and FIG. 15 , and when theoperation unit 116 is activated to display the home screen 608. Theprocedure of FIG. 19 is implemented by the CPU 111 of the MFP 101reading the program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executingthe program.

In step S1901, the CPU 111 obtains button information registered on thebutton setting registration screen 1701 illustrated in FIG. 17 from thestorage 114.

In step S1902, the CPU 111 obtains an icon image corresponding to atarget X from the message application server 300 or the storage 114. Asemployed herein, the target X refers to information registered in thebutton information and serves as a destination. Candidate concepts forthe target X include, in descending order from the most generic, anapplication service, a workspace, a channel, and a user. Here, the CPU111 issues an obtaining request for the icon image corresponding to thetarget X to the icon image source illustrated in FIG. 18 .

In step S1903, the CPU 111 determines whether the icon image issuccessfully obtained. If the icon image is successfully obtained (YESin step S1903), the processing proceeds to step S1904. If the icon imageis not successfully obtained (NO in step S1903), the processing proceedsto step S1905.

In step S1904, the CPU 111 displays the icon image on the operation unit116.

In step S1905, the CPU 111 checks whether there is a more genericconcept than the target X. If there is such a concept (YES in stepS1905), the processing proceeds to step S1906. If not (NO in stepS1905), the processing proceeds to step S1907.

In step S1906, the CPU 111 assumes the more generic concept present asthe target X. The processing proceeds to step S1902.

In step S1907, the CPU 111 obtains a specific default icon from thestorage 114. In other words, the processing of step S1907 is performedif none of the application service, the workspace, the channel, and theuser has an icon image.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, a group where image datagenerated by the image processing apparatus performing a scan is sharedin response to the selection of a registered object can be more easilyidentified from the object.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the MFP 101 is described to directlytransmit the image data and the post parameters to the messageapplication server 300. A second exemplary embodiment deals with anexample where an MFP 101 transmits image data and post parameters to amessage application server 300 via a bot server 400.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence where the MFP101 transmits a file generated by scanning to the message applicationserver 300 via the bot server 400.

In step S1101, a CPU 111 of the MFP 101 accepts the selection of a scanto chat button 602, which is a scan start instruction. If a screen foraccepting the selection of a channel, a mention user, and/or a fixedphrase is displayed in response to the selection of the scan to chatbutton 602, the scan is started when the selection is accepted.

In step S1102, the CPU 111 controls a reading unit 118 to read an imageof a document based on scan settings made on the button settingregistration screen 1701 illustrated in FIG. 17 . In step S1103, the CPU111 generates image data (file) based on the read image.

In step S1104, the CPU 111 controls a communication unit 126 to transmitvarious types of information for posting the image data to the botserver 400. Here, token information registered on the button settingregistration screen 1701 illustrated in FIG. 17 , channel informationset on the button setting registration screen 1701 or the screensillustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 , user information about a user to bementioned, and a comment are transmitted along with the image data.

In step S1105, a CPU 401 of the bot server 400 transmits the receivedvarious types of information to the message application server 300. Theinformation is transmitted by executing a command “HTTP POSThttps://message.com/api/files.upload”.

In step S1106, a CPU 301 of the message application server 300 searchesfor registered workspace information and application information byusing the token information received in step S1105, and stores thespecified channel in association with the received image data andchannel information. In other words, the CPU 301 performs control topost the received image data and comment to the specified channel. If amention user is specified, the CPU 301 further stores the received imagedata, channel, and post destination user in association with each other.Whereby, a screen where the received image data is posted appears whenthe user activates the message application on the mobile terminal 200and specifies the channel to check the contents of the conversations inthe channel.

In step S1107, the CPU 301 of the message application server 300transmits a result corresponding to whether the post is successful tothe bot server 400 as HTTP communication response information.

In step S1108, the CPU 401 of the bot server 400 transmits the resultreceived in step S1107 to the MFP 101. If the post is successful, theCPU 111 of the MFP 101 may display a notification that the post issuccessful on the operation unit 116. If the post is failed, the CPU 111of the MFP 101 may display a notification that the post is failed on theoperation unit 116. Alternatively, the CPU 111 may display thenotification that the post is failed only when the post is failed,without displaying a notification when the post is successful.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of association between IDsand token information. In the table of FIG. 16 , user IDs or device IDsare registered in association with authorization information (tokeninformation). This table is stored in an HDD 405 of the bot server 400.Here, the user IDs and the device IDs are information stored in MFPs101. A user ID is user identification information set for each user whouses an MFP 101. A device ID is device identification information setfor each MFP. The user IDs are identification information set by theusers in generating a user account for logging in to the MFPs 101. Thedevice IDs are identification information specific to the respectiveMFPs 101, set upon factory shipment.

The token information illustrated in FIG. 16 is used in performing thescan to chat processing without selecting the scan to chat button 602.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing according tothe present exemplary embodiment in a case where the scan to chat button602 is selected. The operations (steps) of the flowchart according tothe present exemplary embodiment are implemented by the CPU 111 readinga control program stored in the ROM 112 or the storage 114 into a RAM113 and executing the control program. A description of steps wheresimilar processing to that of FIG. 7 is performed in the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 9 will be omitted.

The processing of step S1301 is similar to that of step S1001 in FIG. 7.

In step S1302, the CPU 111 transmits information indicating a requestfor channel list information to the bot server 400. Here, the CPU 111transmits token information 1503 registered in advance to the bot server400. The CPU 401 of the bot server 400 then transmits the received tokeninformation and the information indicating the request for the channellist information to the message application server 300.

In step S1303, the CPU 111 determines whether the channel listinformation is received from the message application server 300 inresponse to the request for the channel list information, transmitted instep S1302. Specifically, the CPU 111 determines whether the bot server400 receives the channel list information from the message applicationserver 300 and the MFP 101 receives the channel list information fromthe bot server 400. If the response of the HTTP communication includes astatus code indicating an error or body information in the responseincludes a parameter indicating that the channel list information isunable to be obtained, the CPU 111 determines that the channel listinformation is not received.

The processing of steps S1304 to S1306 is similar to that of steps S1004to S1006 illustrated in FIG. 7 .

In step S1307, the CPU 111 transmits a request for icon informationabout other channels in the target workspace to the bot server 400, andthe bot server 400 transmits the request to the message applicationserver 300. The MFP 101 thereby obtains the icon information about theother channels in the target workspace from the message applicationserver 300 via the bot server 400.

The processing of steps S1308 to S1311 is similar to that of steps S1008to S1011 illustrated in FIG. 7 .

In step S1312, the CPU 111 obtains icon information about usersbelonging to the target channel from the message application server 300via the bot server 400 in the foregoing manner.

The processing of steps S1313 to S1318 is similar to that of steps S1013to S1018 illustrated in FIG. 7 .

In step S1319, the CPU 111 transmits the token information 1503registered in advance, the file generated in step S1317, and the postparameters generated in step S1318 to the bot server 400. The bot server400 transmits the token information 1503, the file generated in stepS1317, and the post parameters generated in step S1318 to the messageapplication server 300 by the POST method of HTTP communication. Withsuch data (the file into which the image data is converted and the postparameters) transmitted to the message application server 300, themessage application server 300 performs control such that the receivedfile is posted to the user specified by the received mention informationin the channel specified by the received channel information.

In step S1320, the CPU 111 receives the posted result from the messageapplication server 300 via the bot server 400, and displays the postedresult on a touch panel 601 of the operation unit 116.

In the present exemplary embodiment, only one piece of token informationis described to be registered. If a plurality of pieces of tokeninformation is registered, the token information-related processing,namely, the processing of steps S1302, S1303, and S1319 is performed asmany times as the number of pieces of token information registered.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, easy identification of agroup from an object can be implemented by simply updating the programof the bot server 400 without uploading the program of MFP 101, even ina case where the interface specifications of the message applicationserver 300 are changed. Moreover, files can be posted without setting atoken for each individual MFP in an office where a plurality of MFPs isinstalled.

Other Embodiments

Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A scanning system comprising: a scanner thatscans a document to generate image data; a controller that obtains aplurality of icon images each for enabling a user to identify acorresponding one of a plurality of groups of a chat service; a userinterface that displays a plurality of objects each including acorresponding one of the obtained plurality of icon images, wherein theuser interface receives selection, by the user, of an object from thedisplayed plurality of objects; and a communicator that transmits thegenerated image data and information corresponding to a channel of aplurality of channels included in a group which, among the plurality ofgroups of the chat service, corresponds to the selected object to aserver, wherein the generated image data is stored in association withthe channel, and wherein, based on an execution instruction, the scannerscans the document to generate the image data and then the communicatortransmits the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe channel to the server.
 2. The scanning system according to claim 1,wherein the user interface further receives selection, by the user, ofthe channel from the plurality of channels included in the groupcorresponding to the selected object, wherein the communicator transmitsthe generated image data and the information corresponding to theselected channel to the server, and wherein the generated image data isstored in association with the selected channel.
 3. The scanning systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the user interface receives selection, bythe user, of the object from the displayed plurality of objects and thenthe user interface displays a plurality of objects corresponding to theplurality of channels included in the group corresponding to theselected object, and then the user interface receives selection, by theuser, of the object corresponding to the channel from the plurality ofobjects corresponding to the plurality of channels, and wherein thecommunicator transmits the generated image data and the informationcorresponding to the channel corresponding to the selected object to theserver.
 4. The scanning system according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller receives a setting for scanning one side of the document or asetting for scanning both sides of the document.
 5. The scanning systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a printer that prints an imageon a sheet based on image data generated by the scanner.
 6. The scanningsystem according to claim 1, wherein the controller further obtainsinformation indicating the plurality of groups of the chat service. 7.The scanning system according to claim 1, wherein the controller obtainsthe plurality of icon images from the server.
 8. The scanning systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the communicator transmits the generatedimage data and the information corresponding to the channel through HTTPcommunication to the server.
 9. The scanning system according to claim1, wherein the communicator further transmits token information to theserver, and wherein the controller obtains the plurality of icon imageseach for enabling the user to identify a corresponding one of theplurality of groups associated with a user corresponding to the tokeninformation.
 10. The scanning system according to claim 1, wherein thegenerated image data is posted to the channel.
 11. A scanning systemcomprising: a scanner that scans a document to generate image data; acontroller that obtains a plurality of icon images each for enabling auser to identify a corresponding one of a plurality of groups of a chatservice; a user interface that displays a plurality of objects eachincluding a corresponding one of the obtained plurality of icon images,wherein the user interface receives selection, by the user, of an objectfrom the displayed plurality of objects; and a communicator thattransmits the generated image data and information corresponding to achannel of a plurality of channels included in a group which, among theplurality of groups of the chat service, corresponds to the selectedobject, wherein, based on an execution instruction, the scanner scansthe document to generate the image data and then the communicatortransmits the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe channel.
 12. The scanning system according to claim 11, wherein theuser interface further receives selection, by the user, of the channelfrom the plurality of channels included in the group corresponding tothe selected object, wherein the communicator transmits the generatedimage data and the information corresponding to the selected channel.13. The scanning system according to claim 12, wherein the userinterface receives selection, by the user, of the object from thedisplayed plurality of objects and then the user interface displays aplurality of objects corresponding to the plurality of channels includedin the group corresponding to the selected object, and then the userinterface receives selection, by the user, of the object correspondingto the channel from the plurality of objects corresponding to theplurality of channels, and wherein the communicator transmits thegenerated image data and the information corresponding to the channelcorresponding to the selected object.
 14. The scanning system accordingto claim 11, wherein the controller receives a setting for scanning oneside of the document or a setting for scanning both sides of thedocument.
 15. The scanning system according to claim 11, furthercomprising: a printer that prints an image on a sheet based on imagedata generated by the scanner.
 16. The scanning system according toclaim 11, wherein the controller further obtains information indicatingthe plurality of groups of the chat service.
 17. The scanning systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the communicator transmits the generatedimage data and the information corresponding to the channel so that thegenerated image data is stored in association with the channel.
 18. Thescanning system according to claim 11, wherein the communicatortransmits the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe channel through HTTP communication.
 19. The scanning systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the communicator further transmits tokeninformation, and wherein the controller obtains the plurality of iconimages each for enabling the user to identify a corresponding one of theplurality of groups associated with the user corresponding to the tokeninformation.
 20. The scanning system according to claim 11, wherein thegenerated image data is posted to the channel.
 21. A scanning systemcomprising: a scanner that scans a document to generate image data; acontroller that obtains a plurality of icon images each for enabling auser to identify a corresponding one of a plurality of groups of a chatservice; a user interface that displays a plurality of objects eachincluding a corresponding one of the obtained plurality of icon images,wherein the user interface receives selection, by the user, of an objectfrom the displayed plurality of objects; and a communicator thattransmits the generated image data and information corresponding to achannel of a plurality of channels included in a group which, among theplurality of groups of the chat service, corresponds the selected objectto a server, wherein the generated image data is stored in associationwith the channel.
 22. The scanning system according to claim 21, whereinthe user interface further receives selection, by the user, of thechannel from the plurality of channels included in the groupcorresponding to the selected object, wherein the communicator transmitsthe generated image data and the information corresponding to theselected channel to the server, and wherein the generated image data isstored in association with the selected channel.
 23. The scanning systemaccording to claim 22, wherein the user interface receives selection, bythe user, of the object from the displayed plurality of objects and thenthe user interface displays a plurality of objects corresponding to theplurality of channels included in the group corresponding to theselected object, and then the user interface receives selection, by theuser, of the object corresponding to the channel from the plurality ofobjects corresponding to the plurality of channels, and wherein thecommunicator transmits the generated image data and the informationcorresponding to the channel corresponding to the selected object to theserver.
 24. The scanning system according to claim 21, wherein thecontroller receives a setting for scanning one side of the document or asetting for scanning both sides of the document.
 25. The scanning systemaccording to claim 21, further comprising: a printer that prints animage on a sheet based on image data generated by the scanner.
 26. Thescanning system according to claim 21, wherein the controller furtherobtains information indicating the plurality of groups of the chatservice.
 27. The scanning system according to claim 21, wherein thecontroller obtains the plurality of icon images from the server.
 28. Thescanning system according to claim 21, wherein the communicatortransmits the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe channel through HTTP communication to the server.
 29. The scanningsystem according to claim 21, wherein the communicator further transmitstoken information to the server, and wherein the controller obtains theplurality of icon images each for enabling the user to identify acorresponding one of the plurality of groups associated with the usercorresponding to the token information.
 30. The scanning systemaccording to claim 21, wherein the generated image data is posted to thechannel.
 31. A scanning system comprising: a scanner that scans adocument to generate image data; a controller that obtains a pluralityof icon images each for enabling a user to identify a corresponding oneof a plurality of groups of a chat service; a user interface thatdisplays a plurality of objects each including a corresponding one ofthe obtained plurality of icon images, wherein the user interfacereceives selection, by the user, of an object from the displayedplurality of objects; and a communicator that transmits the generatedimage data and information corresponding to a channel of a plurality ofchannels included in a group which, among the plurality of groups of thechat service, corresponds to the selected object.
 32. The scanningsystem according to claim 31, wherein the user interface furtherreceives selection, by the user, of the channel from the plurality ofchannels included in the group corresponding to the selected object,wherein the communicator transmits the generated image data and theinformation corresponding to the selected channel.
 33. The scanningsystem according to claim 32, wherein the user interface receivesselection, by the user, of the object from the displayed plurality ofobjects and then the user interface displays a plurality of objectscorresponding to the plurality of channels included in the groupcorresponding to the selected object, and then the user interfacereceives selection, by the user, of the object corresponding to thechannel from the plurality of objects corresponding to the plurality ofchannels, and wherein the communicator transmits the generated imagedata and the information corresponding to the channel corresponding tothe selected object.
 34. The scanning system according to claim 31,wherein the controller receives a setting for scanning one side of thedocument or a setting for scanning both sides of the document.
 35. Thescanning system according to claim 31, further comprising a printer thatprints an image on a sheet based on image data generated by the scanner.36. The scanning system according to claim 31, wherein the controllerfurther obtains information indicating the plurality of groups of thechat service.
 37. The scanning system according to claim 31, wherein thecommunicator transmits the generated image data and the informationcorresponding to the channel so that the generated image data is storedin association with the channel.
 38. The scanning system according toclaim 31, wherein the communicator transmits the generated image dataand the information corresponding to the channel through HTTPcommunication.
 39. The scanning system according to claim 31, whereinthe communicator further transmits token information, and wherein thecontroller obtains the plurality of icon images each for enabling theuser to identify a corresponding one of the plurality of groupsassociated with the user corresponding to the token information.
 40. Thescanning system according to claim 31, wherein the generated image datais posted to the channel.
 41. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing a program that causes a scanning apparatus to execute amethod, the method comprising: scanning a document to generate imagedata; obtaining a plurality of icon images each for enabling a user toidentify a corresponding one of a plurality of groups of a chat service;displaying a plurality of objects each including a corresponding one ofthe obtained plurality of icon images, receiving selection, by the user,of an object from the displayed plurality of objects; and transmittingthe generated image data and information corresponding to a channel of aplurality of channels included in a group which, among the plurality ofgroups of the chat service, corresponds to the selected object to aserver, wherein the generated image data is stored in association withthe channel, and wherein, based on an execution instruction, thedocument is scanned to generate the image data and then the generatedimage data and the information corresponding to the channel aretransmitted.
 42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 41, the method further comprising: receivingselection, by the user, of the channel from the plurality of channelsincluded in the group corresponding to the selected object, wherein thegenerated image data and the information corresponding to the selectedchannel are transmitted to the server, and wherein the generated imagedata is stored in association with the selected channel.
 43. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 42,wherein the object is selected by the user from the displayed pluralityof objects and then a plurality of objects corresponding to theplurality of channels included in the group corresponding to theselected object is displayed, and then the object corresponding to thechannel is selected by the user from the plurality of objectscorresponding to the plurality of channels, and wherein the generatedimage data and the information corresponding to the channelcorresponding to the selected object are transmitted to the server. 44.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim41, the method further comprising: receiving a setting for scanning oneside of the document or a setting for scanning both sides of thedocument.
 45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 41, the method further comprising: printing an imageon a sheet based on image data generated by the scanning.
 46. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41,the method further comprising: obtaining information indicating theplurality of groups of the chat service.
 47. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 41, wherein theplurality of icon images are obtained from the server.
 48. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41,wherein the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe channel are transmitted through HTTP communication to the server.49. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 41, the method further comprising: transmitting token informationto the server, and wherein the obtained plurality of icon images are aplurality of icon images each for enabling the user to identify acorresponding one of the plurality of groups associated with the usercorresponding to the token information.
 50. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 41, wherein thegenerated image data is posted to the channel.
 51. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes ascanning apparatus to execute a method, the method comprising: scanninga document to generate image data; obtaining a plurality of icon imageseach for enabling a user to identify a corresponding one of a pluralityof groups of a chat service; displaying a plurality of objects eachincluding a corresponding one of the obtained plurality of icon images;receiving selection, by the user, of an object from the displayedplurality of objects; and transmitting the generated image data andinformation corresponding to a channel of a plurality of channelsincluded in a group which, among the plurality of groups of the chatservice, corresponds to the selected object, wherein, based on anexecution instruction, the document is scanned to generate the imagedata and then the generated image data and the information correspondingto the channel are transmitted.
 52. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 51, the method further comprising:receiving selection, by the user, of the channel from the plurality ofchannels included in the group corresponding to the selected object,wherein the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe selected channel are transmitted.
 53. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 52, wherein theobject is selected by the user from the displayed plurality of objectsand then a plurality of objects corresponding to the plurality ofchannels included in the group corresponding to the selected object isdisplayed, and then the object corresponding to the channel is selectedby the user from the plurality of objects corresponding to the pluralityof channels, and wherein the generated image data and the informationcorresponding to the channel corresponding to the selected object aretransmitted.
 54. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 51, the method further comprising: receiving asetting for scanning one side of the document or a setting for scanningboth sides of the document.
 55. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 51, the method further comprising:printing an image on a sheet based on image data generated by the scan.56. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 51, the method further comprising: obtaining informationindicating the plurality of groups of the chat service.
 57. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 51,wherein the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe channel are transmitted so that the generated image data is storedin association with the channel.
 58. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 51, wherein thegenerated image data and the information corresponding to the channelare transmitted through HTTP communication.
 59. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 51, the methodfurther comprising: transmitting token information, and wherein theobtained plurality of icon images are a plurality of icon images eachfor enabling the user to identify a corresponding one of the pluralityof groups associated with the user corresponding to the tokeninformation.
 60. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 51, wherein the generated image data is posted to thechannel.
 61. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing aprogram that causes a scanning apparatus to execute a method, the methodcomprising: scanning a document to generate image data; obtaining aplurality of icon images each for enabling a user to identify acorresponding one of a plurality of groups of a chat service; displayinga plurality of objects each including a corresponding one of theobtained plurality of icon images, receiving selection, by the user, ofan object from the displayed plurality of objects; and transmitting thegenerated image data and information corresponding to a channel of aplurality of channels included in a group which, among the plurality ofgroups of the chat service, corresponds to the selected object to aserver, wherein the generated image data is stored in association withthe channel.
 62. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 61, the method further comprising: receivingselection, by the user, of the channel from the plurality of channelsincluded in the group corresponding to the selected object, wherein thegenerated image data and the information corresponding to the selectedchannel are transmitted to the server, and wherein the generated imagedata is stored in association with the selected channel.
 63. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 62,wherein the object is selected by the user from the displayed pluralityof objects and then a plurality of objects corresponding to theplurality of channels included in the group corresponding to theselected object is displayed, and then the object corresponding to thechannel is selected by the user from the plurality of objectscorresponding to the plurality of channels, and wherein the generatedimage data and the information corresponding to the channelcorresponding to the selected object are transmitted to the server. 64.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim61, the method further comprising: receiving a setting for scanning oneside of the document or a setting for scanning both sides of thedocument.
 65. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 61, the method further comprising: printing an imageon a sheet based on image data generated by the scan.
 66. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 61,the method further comprising: obtaining information indicating theplurality of groups of the chat service.
 67. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 61, wherein theplurality of icon images are obtained from the server.
 68. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 61,wherein the generated image data and the information corresponding tothe channel are transmitted through HTTP communication to the server.69. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 61, the method further comprising: transmitting token informationto the server, and wherein the obtained plurality of icon images are aplurality of icon images each for enabling the user to identify acorresponding one of the plurality of groups associated with the usercorresponding to the token information.
 70. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 61, wherein thegenerated image data is posted to the channel.
 71. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes ascanning apparatus to execute a method, the method comprising: scanninga document to generate image data; obtaining a plurality of icon imageseach for enabling a user to identify a corresponding one of a pluralityof groups of a chat service; displaying a plurality of objects eachincluding a corresponding one of the obtained plurality of icon images,receiving selection, by the user, of an object from the displayedplurality of objects; and transmitting the generated image data andinformation corresponding to a channel of a plurality of channelsincluded in a group which, among the plurality of groups of the chatservice, corresponds to the selected object to a server.
 72. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 71,the method further comprising: receiving selection, by the user, of thechannel from the plurality of channels included in the groupcorresponding to the selected object, wherein the generated image dataand the information corresponding to the selected channel aretransmitted.
 73. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 72, wherein the object is selected by the user fromthe displayed plurality of objects and then a plurality of objectscorresponding to the plurality of channels included in the groupcorresponding to the selected object is displayed, and then the objectcorresponding to the channel is selected by the user from the pluralityof objects corresponding to the plurality of channels, and wherein thegenerated image data and the information corresponding to the channelcorresponding to the selected object are transmitted.
 74. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 71,the method further comprising: receiving a setting for scanning one sideof the document or a setting for scanning both sides of the document.75. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according toclaim 71, the method further comprising: printing an image on a sheetbased on image data generated by the scan.
 76. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 71, the methodfurther comprising: obtaining information indicating the plurality ofgroups of the chat service.
 77. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium according to claim 71, wherein the generated image dataand the information corresponding to the channel are transmitted so thatthe generated image data is stored in association with the channel. 78.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim71, wherein the generated image data and the information correspondingto the channel are transmitted through HTTP communication.
 79. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 71,the method further comprising: transmitting token information, andwherein the obtained plurality of icon images are a plurality of iconimages each for enabling the user to identify a corresponding one of theplurality of groups associated with the user corresponding to the tokeninformation.
 80. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 71, wherein the generated image data is posted to thechannel.
 81. A scanning apparatus comprising: a scanner that scans adocument to generate image data; a controller that obtains a pluralityof icon images each for enabling a user to identify a corresponding oneof a plurality of groups of a chat service; a user interface thatdisplays a plurality of objects each including a corresponding one ofthe obtained plurality of icon images, wherein the user interfacereceives selection, by the user, of an object from the displayedplurality of objects; and a communicator that transmits the generatedimage data and information corresponding to a channel of a plurality ofchannels included in a group which, among the plurality of groups of thechat service, corresponds to the selected object to a server, whereinthe generated image data is stored in association with the channel. 82.A scanning apparatus comprising: a scanner that scans a document togenerate image data; a controller that obtains a plurality of iconimages each for enabling a user to identify a corresponding one of aplurality of groups of a chat service; a user interface that displays aplurality of objects each including a corresponding one of the obtainedplurality of icon images, wherein the user interface receives selection,by the user, of an object from the displayed plurality of objects; and acommunicator that transmits the generated image data and informationcorresponding to a channel of a plurality of channels included in agroup which, among the plurality of groups of the chat service,corresponds to the selected object.